Royal Oak-based iSelect health exchange to expand nationally with United Healthcare deal

Correction appended

iSelect Custom Benefits Store, a Royal Oak-based private health insurance exchange, has signed a deal with United Healthcare Group to sell seven PPO health insurance products on its exchange in Michigan and several other states, Crain’s has learned.

"iSelect’s partnership with United Healthcare is a great solution for employers working to comply with coverage mandates in the Affordable Care Act,” said Denise Christy, president of iSelect, in a statement.

United Healthcare will offer at least seven PPO options through iSelect and its certified agents to employers with 100 or more workers. The plans will be available starting Oct. 1.

As a private health insurance exchange, iSelect offers small businesses from 10 to 10,000 employees a defined contribution approach to health benefits that can help companies reduce long-term health care costs. Employees have a variety of choices using iSelect’s online suite of insurance benefits that include health, dental, vision and several specialty insurance lines.

United Healthcare (NYSE:UNH) is the nation’s largest health insurer with more than 45 million customers. The Minnesota-based company contracts with 800,000 physicians and 6,000 hospitals.